Mourinho praises players after Chelsea win

Jose Mourinho singled John Mikel Obi and Ramires out for praise after Chelsea’s League Cup win at Walsall.

The Blues will travel to Stoke in round four after a 4-1 victory in which Ramires, Loic Remy, Pedro and Kenedy scored.

Skipper John Terry returned to the starting line-up and looked composed at the back, while boss Mourinho felt his team’s dominance in midfield was all-important.

“John [Terry] was solid, normal, no problem,” Mourinho said. “We brought a good solid defence and the midfield was really good. Mikel and Ramires played amazingly well.”

And Mourinho gave credit to Walsall, who pulled a goal back after going 2-0 down and battled on after Kenedy marked his full debut for Chelsea by scoring early in the second half.

Mourinho said: “I analysed Walsall before. I was surprised with the quality of their play.

“They were a different team to normal in League One; not so physical, and technically fast. They were very well organised.

“I haven’t found a team in League One playing the quality of football that they tried to play.”